Brief
Al Jardine calls Mike Love’s seated performance at Nashville’s Ryman ‘shocking’
Jardine, 84, expressed concern after seeing Love, 85, struggle onstage at the Nashville concert on Oct. 11.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Al Jardine told Rolling Stone that watching former Beach Boys bandmate Mike Love perform seated at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Oct. 11 was “shocking” and left him “speechless.”
Jardine, 84, said Love, 85, appeared “trapped” and “going through some health issues for quite a while,” noting that Love sang only occasional background vocals while remaining in a chair for most of the set. The optics, Jardine said, were “awful.”
That same night, Jardine performed his own show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California, with former Beach Boys members Bruce Johnston and David Marks, plus guest appearances by Carnie Wilson, Marilyn Wilson, and Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean.
Jardine recalled that Love has sued him several times over the use of the Beach Boys name, including a 2003 lawsuit over touring under various Beach Boys‑related monikers. Despite the legal battles, Jardine said he felt for his longtime bandmate and hoped Love would not continue to push himself onstage.
When asked if the Beach Boys would keep touring, Jardine replied, “I would hope not… He’s a total pro, but he just doesn’t know how not to do it. He’s trapped.”
Key facts
- Al Jardine described Mike Love’s seated performance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium as shocking and depressing. (billboard.com)
- Mike Love, 85, sang only occasional background vocals while seated for most of the Oct. 11 concert. (billboard.com)
- Jardine performed later that night at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts with Bruce Johnston, David Marks, Carnie Wilson, Marilyn Wilson, and Dean Torrence. (billboard.com)
- Jardine noted that Love has sued him multiple times over the use of the Beach Boys name, including a 2003 lawsuit. (billboard.com)
- Jardine said he hopes Love will not continue to push himself onstage, calling him “trapped.” (billboard.com)
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Al Jardine Says Watching Footage of Former Beach Boys Bandmate Mike Love at Ryman Concert Was ‘Shocking’: ‘I’m Speechless’”
